The 40 contributions to this invaluable collection about personal identity have two things in common: all are nonfiction and all are by writers under the age of 23. Beyond that, diversity is the order of the day, and the result is a vivid demonstration of how extraordinarily broad the spectrum of sexual identity is among today’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth. That said, some of the topics addressed in these essays and poems are familiar (the agony of coming out, the heartbreak of religious opprobrium). What is new and encouraging, however, is the fact that so many young people have felt free enough to share the truth about themselves in print and under their own names; as coeditor Levithan notes in his introduction, “One way to effect change is to share truths. To tell our stories.” Insightful, extraordinarily well written, and emotionally mature, the selections offer compelling, dramatic evidence that what is important is not what we are but who we are. —Michael Cart

As nonfiction goes, the buzz is that Full Spectrum doesn't suck. It should be available from larger booksellers by the end of the month. Naturally, it can be ordered from Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com, or Powell's Books now.